Windows 10: Error when trying to reformat Windows 10

Hello everyone, I'm trying to reformat my windows 10 and i'm getting errors no matter what i do. I dont care about the data on the laptop, i got it at a garage sale.

when i click reset my PC

- Keep my files: "The Drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again."
- Remove Everything: "There was a problem resetting your PC."

then i tried the windows creation tool that was on the forum.

i choose use a device and pick my usb that i made with windows creation tool.

i click the install now option, accept the term. When i click custom install, it says We coudln't find any drives. To get a storage driver click load driver.

:)

 

202 event error - file history doesn't recognize

I have an old seagate external drive that gives me a 202 event error when trying to use it for file history - do I need to reformat the drive?

Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Files, folders, & storage

 

Trying to reformat

Start your PC, then just after the Manufacturers logo disappears and Windows 10 tries to boot, press and hold the power button down for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a hard shut down

Do this Twice

On the third boot attempt, Windows will boot into the Windows 10 Repair Environment, from there you can access Startup Recovery, Safe Mode, Command Prompt . . . etc.

Go to Troubleshooting - Advanced Options - Reset this PC

When asked choose to keep nothing, this will be the exact same as a clean installation of Windows 10 and without the bother of reformatting and having to get installation media

 

You don't say HOW you are trying to format but you can't do it when booted into/running Windows, has to be done from another source such as a bootable CD or DVD. I use the free GPARTED LiveCD to do it, has a form of Linux and can be used to both Delete then Create partitions the Format them as desired. Or if you have a bootable Windows install disc you could use it to both wipe out the partition and install. You'll need the Product Key if it's Win7 or earlier, if Win8 or newer may be in the BIOS.

 

I do not have a bootable CD, its a Ultrabook, does not a CD ROM, I used the windows media creation tool to put the image onto the USB drive. Sorry if i'm misunderstanding your question, when i purchased the laptop it had a password on it, they said it was their kids and have no clue about anything except its a laptop. So i'm just trying to wipe everything out and use it.


I think maybe the computer is not finding the storage? Because when it ask "where do you want to install windows?" there is nothing there. I run Diskpart and list disk, it shows only 1 disk, which is Disk 0 59GB which is my bootable usb stick. So maybe its not finding the HD? from my research online its suppose to have a 126gb SSD

 

That doesn't narrow it down much, it's like saying it's a desktop or a laptop, more a description of the size and form.

What make and model is it?

 

o sorry its a latitude 7370 M7

 

So it seems like the Bios see the SDD. When i am in my bios and i look under device information it shows

SATA-0 = (none)
M.2 PCIe SSD-0 = S29NNX0H518690

but when i try to reinstall windows it still does not show nothing in terms of where i can install it.

 

According to the 'Dell Latitude 7370 Owner's Manual' there may be a password on the SSD....

...and you can bypass it, if necessary.

https://cdn.cnetcontent.com/e9/cd/e9...3996bbb1a6.pdf

 

i tried both settings, i did disabled, and reboot bypass, and when i try to install windows 10, the drive still does not show up.

not sure if this helps any but when i'm at the window and i press shift F10

i do Disk List and list Disk

it shows only 1 disk

disk 0 online 59gb (which is my usb thumb drive)

nothing else

 

so a friend said that the issue could be because the SSD is connected via m2 pcie format. how do i fix that

 

I would try booting the computer from Kyhi's recovery drive:
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

If the SSD in the computer can be seen in Kyhi's recovery environment, then you can mount a Windows 10 installation ISO file, run setup.exe fromn the mounted ISO file and, hopefully, install Windows 10 that way.

 

You say in post3 that you want to wipe everything and re-use.If so,then use Dban to erase the drive and then install.